Be Strong and Courageous - Devotional - January 26, 2024
"Be strong and of good courage…" "Only be strong and very courageous…" "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." —Joshua 1:6, 7, 9, 18
Following Moses' death, God appointed Joshua to lead the people into the Promised Land. Although most are familiar with the ninth verse of God's command for Joshua to be strong and courageous, God repeated this command four times. What is the reason God placed such a great emphasis on strength and courage that He would repeat this command multiple times?
"Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him [anointed Him]. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the Lord had commanded Moses." —Deuteronomy 34:9
Although Joshua was a God-fearing [dedicated and reverent] man of God who appeared to have infallible strength, he relied greatly on Moses who was his spiritual leader, mentor, and friend. Certainly, we can relate to losing a loved one and coping with the emptiness. We serve a loving God who always allows a period of grieving, yet, with God's strength, we must move forward with courage even if it is with baby steps.
"After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant, saying: 'Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel.' " —Joshua 1:1-3
Most of life's hardships change the course of our lives. Still, God calls for us to be strong and possess courage. The Israelites required a steadfast spiritual leader following Moses' death. When God revealed to Joshua that he was the next leader the assignment required an immediate answer of yes.
"…Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." —Joshua 1:9
When we are chosen by God, He has already equipped us for our assignment. With humility and gratitude, we thank Him for the privilege of representing Christ. Joshua's heart was filled with humility and the desire to faithfully obey God, but his fear overshadowed the motivation to step into the role of Israel's next leader. God does not make mistakes, but He requires obedience according to His timing.
"Since then there has not arisen in Israel a prophet like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, in all the signs and wonders which the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt, before Pharaoh, before all his servants, and in all his land, and by all that mighty power and all the great terror which Moses performed in the sight of all Israel." —Deuteronomy 34:10-12
Joshua was God-appointed but his fears produced a mental and emotional roadblock to moving forward without Moses and leading the stubborn, disobedient Israelites. But we must take notice of how God handles our emotions. God never said, I know that you feel that you are not ready to be appointed as the leader over these stubborn people, so your fear is an expected reaction. No, God said, "Only be strong and courageous" (Joshua 1:7).
"Surely none of the men who came up from Egypt, from twenty years old and above, shall see the land of which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob because they have not wholly followed Me" —Numbers 32:11
Fact: God always intervenes by removing the people, places, and things that prevent us from moving forward in our spiritual journey including fulfilling our God-ordained assignments.
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." —2 Timothy 1:7
When we are not in harm's way and possess fear, we have a serious heart issue of unbelief in the power of God. Fear reveals a lack of faith and trust in God. In Revelation chapter 21, verse 8, Jesus says the cowardly will not enter heaven. Self-reliance, focusing on situations that are humanly impossible to resolve, possessing a timid spirit that prevents us from witnessing, and the dread of an unknown future are indicators of fear.
Fear is a demonic stronghold over the person's mind. A Christian believer who is fearful is in the same predicament as unbelievers. Fear separates us from God and impedes our spiritual transformation. When we are faithful to God, the Holy Spirit convicts us of our unrighteous characteristics and gives us the strength to overcome all inherited and learned behaviors.
"Overall, 75% of young respondents said, 'The future is frightening.' · More than 50% of survey respondents said they felt 'sad, anxious, angry, …' " http://www.medicalnewstoday.com
The percentage of people who are suffering from life's instability and hardships is increasing at epidemic proportions. Many do not have peace because of fear of the unknown future. Believing that God is Sovereign and in control of His world gives us peace.
When God heals us, He never separates our mental, emotional, and physical condition from our spiritual condition. Despite our past, God has promised to heal all of our infirmities when we place all of our faith and trust in Him. Throughout the Bible are countless examples of healing and victory for those who have the faith to be made well.
The Bible is our Spiritual Guidebook. In studying the Bible, we find stories of those who faced great tribulations including the loss of their lives [Study Hebrews chapter 11, verses 32-39], yet they remained faithful to God. Studying the Biblical stories of humanity's struggle and God's love and Divine Intervention strengthens our faith and trust in the mighty power of God.
Let your worship consist of Bible study and prayer to receive the spiritual nourishment required for your mind, body, and soul. Focus on your relationship with Christ and let go of fear! Do not let your mind focus on the "what if." Commit to memory, Christ's promise "…for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
Stepping outside of our comfort zone to fulfill our God-given spiritual assignment is necessary to live a strong and courageous earthly life and also prepares us for an eternal life with Christ Jesus.
Prayer: God, we are letting go of our fears. Please teach us to live for today. We ask for You to reveal our spiritual assignment and for the anointing, presence, and power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. In Jesus' Holy name, we pray, Amen.
© 2024 Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions and Woman, You Are Loved by God Ministries
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